- Apr 29, 2014
- 209
- 92
- 151
Mine have started their annual molt a few weeks ago. We had a break in the heat. My more Exotic birds White Faced Black Spanish are always the first. They are the only ones I have that will stop laying thought the winter. But they can live to be 15. I have 4 age groups, my oldest few are almost 9. They still lay here and there. But do molt hard. The lower on the pecking order, they will often hide. Most just go on with their business. My geese molted in July as well as my ducks. Chickens are last. I do feed them back their eggs and shells, when molting. Scrambled with oatmeal and flax seeds. They love it. I usually have a couple birds that molt late, November. This is also a good time worm them, refresh the coops, dust them for mites. They are cranky but know my routine. Out of a total mixed flock of 55, you use what time you can get. I also mix game bird or meat bird with their regular crumble. ( Mine prefer crumbles) This morning it looked like a colorful pillow fight had occurred during the night. It got down to the mid 60's. Molt for me lasts about 6 weeks, and a couple more to get back to laying. Be advised a lot of breeds shut down for winter. DO NOT add light. Let your birds rest. They will be happy, healthy and rested for spring. If you are worried about eggs, research glassing eggs. I did about 12 dz this past spring. My egg customers know, this time of year I need orders in advance. My father grew up on a farm. They raised broilers and white Pekin ducks commercially. So I've done this for a while.
